Public holidays

Colombia observes 19 national public holidays annually, established under Colombian labor law. These holidays include New Year's Day, Epiphany, Saint Joseph's Day, Good Friday, Maundy Thursday, Labor Day, the Battle of Boyacá, the Assumption of Mary, Columbus Day, Independence Day, the Independence of Cartagena, All Saints' Day, the Immaculate Conception, Christmas Day, and Saint Peter and Saint Paul's Day. Additionally, Colombia recognizes the Feast of the Virgin of Chiquinquirá on July 9 as an official national holiday.

The Colombian government, through the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, establishes and maintains the official calendar of public holidays. These dates are governed by Colombian labor legislation and are binding on all employers throughout the country.

A significant statutory change occurred in 2026 when July 9 was officially added to the national holiday calendar in honor of the Virgin of Chiquinquirá, bringing the total number of recognized public holidays from 18 to 19. This expansion reflects Colombia's recognition of important religious and historical observances within the national calendar.

Employers and payroll teams operating in Colombia must ensure that all 19 public holidays are observed and that employees receive appropriate compensation for work performed on these dates. Typically, work on public holidays entitles employees to premium pay or compensatory time off, depending on the employment contract and applicable collective agreements. Payroll systems must be configured to accurately track and calculate holiday pay, and employers should maintain current awareness of the official holiday calendar to ensure compliance with Colombian labor regulations.